Househelp detained for maltreating toddler

A househelp was arrested and detained on Thursday in Marikina City (Metro Manila) after she was accused of maltreating a two-year-old child under her care. The suspect was identified as Karen Garcia, whose actions were caught on CCTV. Footage of the incident, which was aired over Umagang kay Ganda, an ABS-CBN morning television program, showed that the toddler was sleeping in bed, with the househelp also asleep. The suspect was awakened when the baby abruptly woke up. Garcia reportedly spanked the child, which made the toddler cry, and rolled the baby like a toy. A few minutes later, the mother of the child, Rachelle Enriquez, came home and went straight for the baby whom she was surprised to see was awake. Sensing that her child was being maltreated by the househelp, Enriquez on Thursday morning called barangay (village) officials before whom Garcia admitted that she had hurt the baby but only once. The mother said the househelp came from an agency referred by a relative from Laguna. She refused to accept the explanation and apology from Garcia, saying she wants her jailed. Garcia is under police custody.